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I have it I have not had a chance to play with it yet nor listen to a CD. I will post when I do. the reason I got it was because my 07 E90 base system was average at best. I also have a base system in the X5, that one is better but nothing to get super excited about. I am hoping the HK is worth it.

Ordering a 335 and saw a CNET review where the guy talked about how awful the Harman Kardon stereo was in the 3 series. He is only one guy and reviews all sorts of cars....so who knows.

Anyone that is into tunes do any extensive comparison and have any quick input for me?

Anyone done the upgrade and been happy/unhappy with it?

Thanks in advance!

That guy is an idiot lol. It's one of the best cound systems in a car. On the other forum, an audiophile/installer did a massive review with instrumentation and said it's one of the best stock systems he has heard in a car

That guy is an idiot lol. It's one of the best cound systems in a car. On the other forum, an audiophile/installer did a massive review with instrumentation and said it's one of the best stock systems he has heard in a car

Must get.

Justin did he also give some setting for the equalizer? I remember someone did. if you have the link I am interested, I need to setup mine.

My response is that it's one of the best OEM systems I've heard, but I would listen to it with my own music before ordering.

I find bright, forward systems fatiguing to listen to for long. The bass is a bit boomy. it's not as good as what we do, but it's one of the best stock systems out there. We will be offering a PnP trunk-sub option for this hk system as well as full cabin upgrades for the HiFi systems.

Quote:

So, you would say overall, the F30 HK system is a step up from the 2011 E90 HK system?

No. Two steps. It's very comparable to the Enhanced Premium system in the E9x M3 and M5. Bass is flabbier, less controlled, but louder.

I doubt we will get anyone wanting to upgrade HK systems other than demanding audiophiles. We will get many more wanting to add sub-bass, and of course we will get HiFi upgrade requests. If only I could get my hands on a 6-speaker car...

I have the base in my x5 and that one is awful. If its the same as the 3 series then I would get the upgrade. I listened to one while test driving and the Hk sounded really good and worth the extra 800. I intend to upgrade to the Hk system.

I used to drive a 2003 330i with premium everything, including H.Kardon sound. It was amazing! I now drive a 2001 330i with stock sound...big difference, from personal experience would totally get the upgrade! It's worth it...

I have to disagree. Although not what I would call audio nirvana, the base system is very good. Definitely not a POS. Much better than the system that came in my TSX (which I upgraded) or the systems I've heard in my friends vehicles. I have not heard the HK system in the F30 nor have I heard the systems that came in the E90.

I have to disagree. Although not what I would call audio nirvana, the base system is very good. Definitely not a POS. Much better than the system that came in my TSX (which I upgraded) or the systems I've heard in my friends vehicles. I have not heard the HK system in the F30 nor have I heard the systems that came in the E90.

A POS audio system can meaning many things to different people. If one really like loud and well defined music, then the base system is a POS because its under powered and lacks seperation. If all you listen to is talk show and music at low volume, then the oem system is fine.

I have to disagree. Although not what I would call audio nirvana, the base system is very good. Definitely not a POS. Much better than the system that came in my TSX (which I upgraded) or the systems I've heard in my friends vehicles. I have not heard the HK system in the F30 nor have I heard the systems that came in the E90.

I agree. I spent over a decade as a recording artist, did a few records on Interscope and have spent countless hours mixing, in the studio, etc. I'm not an audiophile but I have trained ears. I now produce concerts and special events. I know what I'm listening to when I'm listening to it and if you want to talk frequency response throughout the range, headroom, etc. we can. These threads trashing the base system are amusing to me. The HK is probably better. You would hope it is for $800. For a stock factory car stereo, the base system in the 3 is very good, to my ears. The midrange definition and response around 800 Hz as well as the definition and punch around 80 Hz isn't great, but all in it's good for a base system. But this is a car forum where guys complain about the 335i being 'too slow', where people can't 'live without' the driver's assistant package and where anything less than an $800 stereo upgrade is garbage, so you know.. par for the course.

I have the HK as well. I used to have a bose audio upgraded kit on an old Nissan I used to own with a really powerful amp. Coming from that the HK is mediocre at best. So what I'm really saying is that don't expect it to blow your mind but instead consider it just as a nice upgrade to the base system. That being said, the HK was worth the upgrade for me because if I didn't do it the only other choice that I would've been stuck with was the base system. The sounds are a bit more refined and distinctive once you play around with the equalizer settings.